Prescription Sedatives Rehab

Prescription sedatives are pharmaceutical drugs that treat a host of disorders, including anxiety, panic attacks and tension. They affect the central nervous system similarly to alcohol, except with different effects. Also known as tranquilizers, sedatives are also used to treat sleeping disorders. However, these drugs also diminish, if not outright, prevent REM sleep, prohibiting quality sleep and suppressing the user’s ability to dream.

There are two main types of sedatives: benzodiazepines (“benzos”) and barbiturates (“barbs” or “downers”). Both of them have unique properties and prescribed in different scenarios.

Benzodiazepines are a type of drug commonly prescribed by doctors in the United States to treat anxiety, seizures, insomnia, and panic attacks. The most commonly used brands are Xanax and Valium.

Barbiturates, on the other hand, aren’t nearly prescribed as frequently as benzodiazepines. They have hospital, veterinary and triage applications, and treat disorders such as acute anxiety and sleep disorders. The most well-known barbiturates in the industry are Phenobarbital and Mephobarbital.

Since sedatives are depressants, some people become addicted to the bodily feel they provide, as they induce relaxation by slowing down the brain’s activity. Xanax (alprazolam), or “xannies,” is one such sedative that is widely abused. Popularized by music and pop culture, it is the single-most prescribed benzodiazepine in America, where abuse runs rampant among youth either in pill or liquid form.

Common Effects of Benzodiazepine Abuse

The earliest signs of benzodiazepine addiction, like many other drug misuse, start with social behavior. People who abuse benzos like Xanax exhibit unexpected mood swings which include anxiety, lethargy, and even spontaneous anger. Another warning sign is foregoing major responsibilities such as work, school, appointments and other important engagements.

Secretive behavior is another alarm. If you notice your normally outgoing loved one compulsively hiding things or vigorously restricting access to their quarters, this is an obvious sign of addiction. Quickly retreating to bathrooms or other private rooms for sudden, unexplained reasons is a common tip-off.

Prescription Sedative Abuse

Drug abuse can begin in a number of ways; peer pressure, self-medication, or just plain curiosity. Whatever the case, people looking to fulfill their needs with prescription drugs easily fall into the wiles of addiction in search of a what is essentially a momentary solution.

Sedative addiction falls directly into this paradigm because it provides a numbing effect on the body. Teens and college students are the most likely demographic to abuse Xanax or a similar sedative, typically during parties. In other cases, it is used to buffer the negative effects or withdrawals of a more potent narcotic.

For those with legal prescriptions, sedative abuse comes from taking the drug outside of the doctor’s directions. This often translates into doubling up on doses, then seeking out others with a similar prescription once they’ve run out and do not have any pills left.

FDA Regulations

There was a time in 1978 where the Food & Drug Administration sought to outright ban sedatives, and heavily restricted marketing any kind of medication that contains the additive. Of course, that was for over-the-counter drugs, and it was because the agency believed it was it may have caused cancer in animals.

It may seem unrelated to the modern sedative crisis, but that push from the FDA set a precedent for future proceedings. Today, the key initiative the FDA employs to combat drug abuse is education. Healthcare professionals are constantly informed of the latest trends in the pharmaceutical industry and its market, as well as with strict drug labels, medication guides, etc.

Specifically for sedatives like Xanax, the FDA has specific warning labels that explicitly state that it has a high propensity for addiction when taken at high dosages for more than 12 weeks.

According to a SAMHSA 2017 report, persons aged 18 to 25 account for the the bulk of sedative abuse. These people reported misusing sedatives within the past month.

Prescription Sedatives Side Effects & Dangers

Long-term effects may include cognitive and motor function disorders. Regarding acute overdoses, emergency rooms and paramedics resort to using Flumazenil, which is a drug primarily used to wake you up after you you undergo surgery. Much in the same way it reverses the effects of heavy sedation, it is also used to treat overdoses as it is a selective benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. It is used in combination with intravenous sodium bicarbonate injections, which relieve acidosis caused by medication overdose.

Detox and Withdrawals

Prescription sedative withdrawals can take place for days, months, even years. The length of time varies depending on the type of drug used. Xanax is ia a short-acting benzodiazepine, so it has a brief withdrawal phase; typical duration lasts around seven days or less.

Long-acting sedatives, such as Valium, can have withdrawals that can last three months or more. In some cases, the symptoms may last indefinitely.

Because of this, many physicians and experts agree that rehab facilities must adopt a “slow-taper” detox program. It is a detox regimen that involves taking incremental amounts of the same sedative, or a less potent version, over a set period of time.

Addiction Rehabilitation

There are two types of rehab programs: residential and outpatient. Residential facilities are live-in facilities for people who need intensive care and round-the-clock medical staff, as well as extensive emotional support. You may spend up to six months in in recovery, with routine schedules tailor specifically with you in mind.

Outpatient treatment facilities handle sedative addiction differently. Patients are required to attend their hospital of choice for 10-12 hours per week for sessions. These programs hone in on educating you about the dangers of sedative abuse, as well as ways to cope with everyday triggers. These programs typically last three to six months on average, and are great options for those who cannot commit to a live-in facility because of work or other responsibilities

More Prescription Sedatives Rehab Programs

Sierra TucsonArizona

(800) 577-1965

Sierra Tucson is a world-renowned leader in the assessment and treatment of complex, co-occurring mental health disorders. Our physician-led multidisciplinary team utilizes a holistic approach to provide individualized treatment for each resident. Treatment is research-informed and supported by an integrative system of neuropsychiatric care for the emotional, physical, and spiritual healing of individuals and families. (800) 577-1965Learn More

Simple RecoveryCalifornia

(888) 674-0788

The Simple Recovery program seeks to meet clients where they are in their recovery, helping them to integrate newfound sobriety skills into the realities of home, work and school. Our action-oriented treatment model includes career and education exploration, social-skill building and family counseling. Alongside our credentialed team, men and women learn to make the behavioral changes necessary to achieve and maintain sobriety, success and self-respect. (888) 674-0788Learn More

Novus Medical Detox CenterFlorida

(844) 449-9602

At Novus Medical Detox Center of West Palm Beach, our staff is committed to providing patients in our care with the tailor-made treatment programs they need to recover and secure a sober future. Every patient has different needs, and we design each program to best fit those needs, and will adjust them as necessary to ensure that our patients are put in the best position possible. Our professional staff will take care to administer any medications your treatment may require to make the withdrawal process as safe and comfortable as possible, as well as help your body rebuild with natural supplements. We believe that providing our patients with a comfortable, stress-free environment is a key part of their success, and we will do everything we can to provide you with a place you can feel comfortable and safe in. (844) 449-9602Learn More

Capo By the SeaCalifornia

(888) 992-0950

Capo By The Sea's mission is to guide alcoholics and addicts on the road to stable, long-term recovery. Capo By The Sea helps transform lives by providing the highest quality treatment and continuing care services, customized for the individual.By combining the most current therapeutic and cognitive behavioral methods with more traditional 12-step therapy, Capo By The Sea has consistently shown that a happy, long-term recovery from addiction is within reach for anyone willing to ask for help. CALL NOW: 800-230-2850 (888) 992-0950Learn More